Cardinal Pell: Vatican official charged with sex offences in Australia

The Vatican’s third highest ranking official has been charged with a series of sex offences in Australia after a two year investigation. Cardinal George Pell strongly denied any wrongdoing – claiming he’d been the victim of “relentless character assassination”.

Police in the state of Victoria say they decided to bring charges after “multiple complainants” came forward. Cardinal Pell – who’s Australia’s most senior Catholic cleric – has been given a leave of absence by the Pope to fight the charges.